WHAT'S THE PROBLEM - LEADERSHIP?

by Glenice Mills


As I observe the leadership problems in both our state and federal governments, I have wondered what is going wrong?

In the Northern Territory there was nearly a leadership take over and then the issues were sorted. All this took place in the dead of night. In Queensland we are awaiting on final numbers as to who will lead this state. Meanwhile in federal government there is discontent brewing with talk of a leadership spill.

So what is going on here? How come our governance is so unstable? There appears to be a serious problem going on, much of it behind the scenes. We know there is a scrambling for power – who will do the best job, but unfortunately it appears to be birthed out of a lust for power and position, rather than a desire to serve the people. It appears noble however I have serious doubts whether the best intentions are for the greater good.

The truth is Australia has a leadership problem. Leaders are dishonoured, their position is mocked and sadly we have all been subjected to what feels right rather that doing what is right. Everyone is being swept on the 24-hour news cycle and there is much stirring up by media that is often not a true reflection of what the people really think and feel. Power has gone into the wrong hands. This is a dangerous thing. Media and its push on emotions have swayed us.

More concerning is the reaction of most Australians which is ‘what’s in it for me’ and ‘how is it going to affect me’, ‘it’s all about me’. It is extremely selfish, and more importantly, seriously damaging to the true governance in this nation, both in the state and federal areas of government. We have a serious problem.

There is an instability that has the potential to have detrimental flow on effects. So long as there is instability it affects confidence in business and the bigger picture of this nations economy. Uncertainty is pervasive, it eats away until people react out of fear and wrong decisions end up being made. This is dangerous.

I have been shocked at the level of venom against some government leaders; in fact it seems borderline libelous. There is a stirring by different factions all with selfish demands that try to sway opinions by the spreading of lies. This is in order to stir up people’s fears and try and win them over to their side of thinking. It is surprising how gullible the average person is, and how easily swayed to come under these lies.

If this is happening in our day-to-day governance what is going to happen when evil really increases and we have very serious economic and social problems?

The problem is actually a leadership problem. Leadership is so derided here in Australia that it has bred problems that are coming to the fore now.

When a leader is put into position and they actually lead, they make decisions for the better of the state/nation. How come when this happens they are then shot down? We want and expect them to lead but don’t like it when they do. There is something wrong in this.

Leadership is not necessarily a popularity contest. It is about actually taking the lead and inspiring people to follow. Somehow we don’t want to follow. That is the problem!

There are some roots that need to be dug up. Following are some deep pervasive mindsets of the people of this nation:

REBELLION: Just like the Israelites who demanded a king (leader) and God in His mercy gave them the one they wanted. It is the ‘give me a king’, but not honouring the King.

DISHONOUR: Australians do not honour those in God given positions. This is not only in our areas of governance but also with the leaders in the body of Christ.

MOCKERY: There is a mockery and deriding of leaders often at a very personal level. The lines of personal attack against beliefs have become blurred.

MISTRUST: There is something very deep that does not trust easily. It is rooted in fear. When we mistrust we are actually saying we can do it better. The reality is we can’t, and if we think we can then maybe we should do something about it.

IMMATURITY: Australians are very immature. Their behavior is like a recalcitrant child. It is demanding – give me what I want now! It is time to grow up. You can’t always have what you want when you want it!

UNGRATEFUL: Australians are a bunch of whiners. I have never heard so much negativity spoken. We are truly ungrateful for what we have in this nation. We have a welfare state that is the envy of other nations. There is talk about poverty. We have no idea what real poverty looks like.

RESISTANT TO CHANGE: We probably like to think of ourselves as a progressive nation. However this is not really the case. We actually don’t like change.

This may seem critical but we really have to stop and consider what a great nation Australia truly is.

I have written this about the issue of governance, however, we in the body of Christ also need to look at the areas where we too are joining in with the dishonouring of leaders. We need to examine where we have dishonoured, mocked, been ungrateful and are immature in our behavior – not only to our government but also more importantly with church leadership.

We have to be careful what we say, and what we write – on Facebook, Internet. If we pull down our leaders we are no different from everyone else. If we remain silent when others are speaking scathing of leaders we come into agreement with their opinions. We need to be very careful about what we say and what we do.

There are principalities and powers that are stirring up dissension and chaos to unsettle. Unfortunately they use people. We need to be very careful we are not used of the enemy. We do not want to also add to the unrest. We need the gift of wisdom like never before.

Nehemiah 9:16,17

But they and their fathers acted proudly, hardened their necks,
And did not heed Your commandments.
They refused to obey,
And they were not mindful of Your wonders that You did among them.
But they hardened their necks,
And in their rebellion they appointed a leader to return to their bondage.

But you are God, ready to pardon,
Gracious and merciful, slow to anger,
Abundant in kindness
And did not forsake them.

Lord we need Your mercy in this nation of Australia!